‘Is this a joke?’ – Aston Villa fans furious as fixture shifted at late notice
Aston Villa are set to face Crystal Palace at the end of this month, but the game has now been rearranged.
Unai Emery was originally scheduled to face Oliver Glasner on August 29, with an 8pm kick-off time for that Friday fixture, but the game has been rearranged with just weeks notice.
Crystal Palace were going to join Aston Villa in the Europa League after their FA Cup triumph, but despite weeks of appeals, they have been demoted to the Europa Conference League as a result of their previous joint-ownership arrangement with French side Lyon.
Palace’s demotion was confirmed after they won the Community Shield, and this has now led to the fixture rearrangement.
Fans fume as Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace rearranged
Palace’s trip to Villa Park has now been rearranged for a very inconvenient time, as it will now take place on Sunday, August 31, with a kick-off time of 7pm.
This means that fans who have already booked travel and accommodation could be out of pocket, while there is less availability for trains on this newly arranged kick-off time.
| Date | Sunday, August 31 |
| Stadium | Villa Park |
| Kick-off time | 7 pm |
The rearrangement came as a result of Palace’s drop to the Conference League, as they will now face qualifying matches that week.
While this comes as an advantage for Villa, fans are still furious at the lack of clarity and advance notice over the reschedule, with one asking: “Is this a joke?”
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Villa gain on-pitch advantage against Crystal Palace
While fans are rightfully frustrated at the fixture change, Palace’s Conference League commitments could actually give Villa an advantage.
They will have a two-legged play-off tie, with the first leg at Selhurst Park on August 21, and the second leg away on August 28.
This means that Palace will have a potentially lengthy away trip just three days before facing Villa, and if the tie is still close from the first leg, then their squad will be stretched for the trip to Villa Park.
Villa meanwhile, will be fresh with no European commitments until September, and will back themselves to secure a home win against the side who knocked them out the FA Cup last season.
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